GPX Viewer Beta

Open a GPX file in Garmin

Garmin Connect can import a GPX two ways: as an Activity (it lands in your history) or as a Course (a route you can send to a device and navigate). To follow a route on your watch or Edge, import it as a Course.

AcceptsGPX, FIT, TCX
Free tierGarmin Connect and course import are free.

Steps

  1. Sign in to Garmin Connect on the web. Go to connect.garmin.com and log in.
  2. Open Courses. From the navigation menu, open Training (or Training & Planning) → Courses.
  3. Import the GPX. Choose “Import”, select your .gpx, then set the course name and activity type and save.
  4. Send it to your device. With the device synced to Garmin Connect, send the course to it (or it syncs automatically). On the device, open Navigation / Courses to start it.

Quirks & limits

  • Per device family: Edge → Navigation → Courses; Forerunner / fenix / Instinct → Navigation (or Training) → Courses → pick the course → Navigate / Do Course.
  • USB fallback: connect the device as a drive and copy the .gpx into its “NewFiles” (or GPX) folder, then eject — the device imports it on the next start.
  • Importing as an Activity backdates the file into your history; import as a Course to navigate it.

See the route before you upload it

Not sure the file is the right one? Drop it into the viewer first — you'll see the full track on a map with distance, elevation and speed. Nothing is uploaded.

Open the GPX Viewer
No file handy? Try a sample: Run Ride Sail (knots) All 13 samples →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Garmin Activity and a Course?

An Activity is a recorded history entry; a Course is a planned route you can send to a device and follow with turn prompts. Import your GPX as a Course to navigate it.

How do I get a GPX route onto my Edge or fenix?

Import the GPX as a Course in Garmin Connect, then sync your device. Or connect the device over USB and copy the .gpx into its NewFiles folder.

Open a GPX file elsewhere

Open a GPX file in Wahoo ELEMNT A Wahoo ELEMNT gets routes through its companion app — either imported as a GPX in the app, or synced automatically from a linked service like Komoot, Ride with GPS or Strava. Open a GPX file in Suunto You add a GPX route to a Suunto watch through the Suunto app: import the route there, then sync it to the watch to navigate. Open a GPX file in COROS A COROS watch gets routes through the COROS app: import the GPX there, sync the watch, and start the route from the watch’s Navigation.